The Top Vitamin D Myths: What’s Fact and What’s Not?

Myth #1: Vitamin D is Stored in Fat for Use

“You don’t need to supplement with vitamin D because it is stored in your fat cells for use.”
Is this true? The fat storage for use debate…
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Myth #2: Vitamin D is Toxic

“Watch Out! Vitamin D can build-up in your fat and become toxic.”
Is this true? The toxic fat stores debate…
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“Careful not to take too much, vitamin D can be easily toxic.”
Is this true? How much is too much?…
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Myth #3: Taking Vitamin D Makes Other Nutrients Deficient

“Supplementing with vitamin D can cause deficiencies in other nutrients”
Is this true? Can taking vitamin D create a co-nutrient imbalance?…
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Myth #4: Current Recommendations are Enough

“The current recommendations for vitamin D intake from the National Academy of Medicine (previously the IOM) are good enough (400-600 IU per day), any more can be harmful”

Other sayings for this one include “My doctor told me all I need is 600 IU/day, and that it is dangerous to take more,” or “There is no benefit to taking more vitamin D or having a level above 20 ng/ml, because that is what the medical recommendation is.”

Is this true? The debate over current medical recommendations for vitamin D…
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Myth #5: Vitamin D Testing is Unnecessary

“Vitamin D testing is not necessary. The only people who should be testing their vitamin D levels are those who are considered ‘high-risk’ for deficiency”
Is this true? IS vitamin D testing necessary…?
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Myth #6: Sun and Food Provide Enough Vitamin D

“Most people can get enough vitamin D from sun exposure and diet alone”

Or, “You probably get enough vitamin D with about 15 minutes of sun to the face, arms, and hands at least twice a week without sunscreen”… yes, we’ve heard this before!

Is this true? Can sun and food alone provide enough vitamin D? Plus, a few other myths about vitamin D from sun and food…
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Myth #7: Kidney Stones

“Taking vitamin D causes kidney stones”
Is this true? The facts behind vitamin D and kidney stones…
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Myth #8: Vitamin D Supplementation Never has Side-Effects

“Vitamin D supplementation has the same safety for everyone”

Is this true? Unfortunately, no. While it is true that the majority of individuals have no issues when taking vitamin D (in fact, many notice improvements in how they feel), there is a very small percentage of people who do experience unwanted side-effects. There are several rare but very real situations in which individuals with certain conditions may experience what seems to be a hypersensitivity to vitamin D supplementation, and sometimes, to the sun as well.

People with Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) or  Sarcoidosis, and other Granulomatous Disorders should take extra caution with vitamin D. If you know or suspect that you have any of these conditions, or if you experience what feels like a hypersensitivity or negative effects due to vitamin D, please work with your health care provider to address these conditions, and work with them to safely resolve any existing vitamin D deficiency.
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Myth #9: The Same Amount of Vitamin D is Good for Everyone

“Everyone needs the same amount of vitamin D”
Is this true? Most definitely not… everyone responds differently to sun and supplements, AND, each person may have unique health needs that may require higher vitamin D levels to target, such as for cancer.
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Myth #10: The Hormonal Vitamin D is the Only Form that Benefits Us

“The only active form of vitamin D and the only one important to our health is the hormonal form”
Is this true? Certainly not! The common misconceptions concerning the 3 main forms of vitamin D found in our body…
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